Wuloru.info – 48 hours is just enough time to enjoy the beach, explore museums and temples, savor local cuisine, and experience the lifestyle of the people in Vietnam's “most livable city.”
Da Nang may not have the ancient architecture of Hanoi, Hue, or Hoi An, nor the vibrant atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City, but it offers beautiful beaches, unique museums, eco-friendly structures, spacious public spaces, and restaurants serving traditional flavors.
The Michelin Guide suggests the following experiences for two days in Da Nang.
Day 1
Morning
Start your day like a local by heading to the beach early before the sun rises to catch the sunrise. Da Nang's coastline stretches over 10 km, but locals usually gather at the end of Pham Van Dong or Nguyen Van Thoai streets. After a swim, find a nearby lounge chair, soak up the sun, enjoy a fresh coconut, and have breakfast.
Head south along the coastal road to visit the Marble Mountains. This is a must-see for tourists, especially first-time visitors to Da Nang. This site is associated with the five elements of Eastern philosophy: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, represented by the five limestone peaks gifted by nature. These mountains were mined for stone for decades, and today, they are also a spiritual destination with temples.
Noon and Afternoon
After spending an hour or two exploring the Marble Mountains, return to the coastal road and have a seafood lunch at Be Man Restaurant. Michelin experts recommend the steamed squid with ginger and scallions, served with lettuce.
Various types of shellfish at Be Man. Photo: Michelin
After lunch, visit the Cham Sculpture Museum. Da Nang can be very hot during the summer, so cooling off inside the museum is a good idea. Here, you can learn about the history and rulers of Central Vietnam centuries ago. The Cham people are famous for their intricate sculptures of Hindu gods, and the museum houses a rich collection of Cham art.
When the weather cools down, head to 113 Nguyen Chi Thanh, a street popular with students for its cluster of coffee shops. There's a wide variety of styles, from classic to hip-hop to “healing” themes. From here, a five-minute walk north will take you to Dien Hai Citadel, where you'll find the Da Nang Museum, displaying images that showcase Da Nang's transformation from a small fishing village to a prosperous city within a few decades.
Evening
For dinner, head to Bun Cha Ca 109, located near these attractions, where you can enjoy a light meal featuring one of Da Nang's specialties. A bowl of fish cake noodle soup, with seafood broth, served with bamboo shoots, cabbage, pineapple, fried fish balls, and crab cakes, might be the perfect choice.
Suggested Addresses:
- Marble Mountains: 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Ngu Hanh Son District
- Be Man Seafood: Lot 8 Vo Nguyen Giap, Son Tra District
- Cham Sculpture Museum: 2 Thang 9 Street, Hai Chau District
- Various types of shellfish at Be Man. Photo: Michelin
- Dien Hai Citadel: Hai Chau District
- 113 Nguyen Chi Thanh Coffee Shops: Hai Chau District
- Bun Cha Ca: 109 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau District
Day 2
Morning
You don't need to wake up as early as on the first day, but it's still advisable to start your journey to Son Tra Peninsula while the weather is cool. Rent a motorbike and drive to Linh Ung Pagoda, where you can climb to the Lady Buddha statue. This is the statue you can see from the beach in the city center. A bit further along, you'll reach a nature reserve home to rare animals, including the red-shanked douc langur.
Noon and Afternoon
On your way back to the city center, stop by Nam Hien Restaurant on Phan Thanh Street for a lunch featuring local specialties. The standout dish here is banh xeo, a type of rice flour pancake filled with shrimp and bean sprouts, served with a tangy peanut dipping sauce.
If you’re a museum enthusiast or have some extra time, visit the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum. The museum boasts a rich collection of works by Central Vietnamese artists, crafted in mediums like oil painting, sculpture, and lacquer. At sunset, head to the beach to relax, enjoy the cool breeze, or take another swim.
Evening
Dinner by the Han River is an unbeatable choice. Luk Lak, a Vietnamese restaurant with delicately prepared dishes, offers a new experience for diners. Michelin suggests trying the grilled minced beef with lemongrass.
After dinner, take a stroll along Bach Dang Street by the river to admire Da Nang's unique bridges. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can witness the Dragon Bridge's fire-breathing show at 9 PM. If you still want to enjoy the night, stop by one of the riverside bars.
Suggested Addresses:
- Linh Ung Pagoda – Son Tra Peninsula
- Nam Hien Restaurant: 46 Phan Thanh, Thanh Khe District
- Da Nang Fine Arts Museum: 78 Le Duan, Hai Chau District
- Luk Lak Restaurant: 28 Bach Dang, Hai Chau District
- Dragon Bridge: Son Tra District
Readmore:
- Da Nang Travel Guide
- Things To Do In Ba Na Hills: A Family Adventure In Vietnam
- Da Nang weather: When is the best time to visit Danang?
- Reasons Why International Tourists Choose Ba Na Hills When Visiting Da Nang
- Weekend Picnic at Ghenh Bang, Da Nang
- Complete Guide to Traveling from Da Nang to Ba Na Hills (A-Z)
